A Baltimore man has been convicted of assaulting an Ocean City police officer in a June 2017 incident.

Jordan James Kuzma, 19, was found guilty of all charges, including second-degree assault against Detective Sgt. Frank Wrench, possessing a weapon with the intent to injure and possessing a spring assisted knife, after a jury trial, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s office said in a news release.

According to testimony in court, Sgt. Wrench responded to the area of Third Street and Baltimore Avenue just after midnight June 18, 2017, where he found a group of unidentified young males who fled the area upon his arrival.

Wrench saw Kuzma leaning against a Jeep Wrangler, and he appeared to be holding a large, black spring-assisted knife in his right hand with the blade extended, the court heard.

Wrench drew his handgun and pointed it at Kuzma from about 20 feet away and yelled, “police, drop the knife and get on the ground.”

According to court testimony, Kuzma ignore repeated commands to drop the knife and began to approach the officer with the blade pointing toward Wrench.

The defendant came to within only a few feet of Sgt. Wrench before dropping the knife, the court heard. But he continued to advance on Wrench until the officer was able to grab Kuzma and take him to the ground and arrest him

Kuzma remained combative with the police officers after being arrested. He repositioned his handcuffs from behind his back to in front of his person during transport to the Ocean City Police Department and threatened to spit on all of the officers' faces, the court heard.

The jury deliberated for only 11 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.

During closing arguments, Deputy State’s Attorney Bill McDermott praised the restraint of the officer, saying that “but for the incredible resolve, strength and courage of Sgt. Wrench, this defendant would not be here today.”

After trial, McDermott said, “Sgt. Wrench was faced with a life or death situation and at his own peril he chose to put his safety at risk to protect the life of a man who was coming at him with an open switchblade — his actions were nothing short of heroic.”

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered by Judge Thomas C. Groton. A sentencing date was not set.